ATI vs. FAST: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ATI and FAST, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ATI Inc. | Fastenal Company |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Materials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry | Metals & Mining | Trading Companies & Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 13.88 billion USD | 46.35 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 29, 1999 | August 20, 1987 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ATI and FAST by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.29% | -2.18% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 37.14% | -17.25% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 34.41% | 1.18% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 70.24% | -3.25% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.40% | -1.70% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 80.54% | 12.52% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.17M | 6.67M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.77M | 6.50M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 40.24% | 24.02% |
| Beta | 1.07 | 0.90 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
ATI
24.80%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 41.65%
- Q3
- 18.32%
- Median
- 9.95%
- Q1
- 1.68%
- Min
- -21.32%
In the upper quartile for the Metals & Mining industry, ATI’s Return on Equity of 24.80% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
FAST
32.69%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 32.99%
- Q3
- 19.30%
- Median
- 12.90%
- Q1
- 9.19%
- Min
- -4.19%
In the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Return on Equity of 32.69% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
ATI
9.71%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 46.52%
- Q3
- 20.04%
- Median
- 7.57%
- Q1
- 1.57%
- Min
- -25.46%
ATI’s Net Profit Margin of 9.71% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Metals & Mining industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
FAST
15.34%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 18.35%
- Q3
- 9.73%
- Median
- 6.00%
- Q1
- 3.53%
- Min
- -3.81%
A Net Profit Margin of 15.34% places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
ATI
14.82%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 72.27%
- Q3
- 33.90%
- Median
- 14.82%
- Q1
- 2.88%
- Min
- -23.81%
ATI’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.82% is around the midpoint for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
FAST
20.21%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 25.07%
- Q3
- 13.61%
- Median
- 7.26%
- Q1
- 4.79%
- Min
- -7.51%
An Operating Profit Margin of 20.21% places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 24.80% | 32.69% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.71% | 24.90% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 9.71% | 15.34% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 14.82% | 20.21% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 21.83% | 45.15% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
ATI
2.50
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 4.96
- Q3
- 2.84
- Median
- 1.95
- Q1
- 1.40
- Min
- 0.41
ATI’s Current Ratio of 2.50 aligns with the median group of the Metals & Mining industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
FAST
4.26
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.62
- Q3
- 2.33
- Median
- 1.57
- Q1
- 1.39
- Min
- 0.27
FAST’s Current Ratio of 4.26 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
ATI
1.12
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 1.10
- Q3
- 0.49
- Median
- 0.31
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.12, ATI operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Metals & Mining industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
FAST
0.05
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.93
- Q3
- 1.19
- Median
- 0.78
- Q1
- 0.54
- Min
- 0.00
Falling into the lower quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, FAST’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
ATI
5.45
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 51.62
- Q3
- 21.58
- Median
- 5.63
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- -24.82
ATI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 5.45 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Metals & Mining industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
FAST
794.74
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 15.13
- Q3
- 7.93
- Median
- 5.62
- Q1
- 1.79
- Min
- -1.67
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 794.74, FAST demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.50 | 4.26 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.11 | 2.18 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.12 | 0.05 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 5.45 | 794.74 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
ATI
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 7.02%
- Q3
- 2.91%
- Median
- 1.13%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATI currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
FAST
2.10%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.11%
- Q3
- 2.73%
- Median
- 2.07%
- Q1
- 1.04%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Yield of 2.10% is consistent with its peers in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
ATI
0.00%
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 151.02%
- Q3
- 64.89%
- Median
- 32.13%
- Q1
- 7.15%
- Min
- 0.00%
ATI has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
FAST
79.49%
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 136.12%
- Q3
- 68.26%
- Median
- 48.45%
- Q1
- 22.66%
- Min
- 0.00%
FAST’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.49% is in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 2.10% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 79.49% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
ATI
30.75
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 77.73
- Q3
- 39.76
- Median
- 20.87
- Q1
- 13.12
- Min
- 2.01
ATI’s P/E Ratio of 30.75 is within the middle range for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
FAST
37.92
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 37.92
- Q3
- 24.64
- Median
- 17.42
- Q1
- 14.27
- Min
- 5.07
A P/E Ratio of 37.92 places FAST in the upper quartile for the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This high valuation relative to peers suggests the market holds elevated expectations for the company’s future growth.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
ATI
2.98
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 9.17
- Q3
- 4.39
- Median
- 2.43
- Q1
- 0.91
- Min
- 0.15
ATI’s P/S Ratio of 2.98 aligns with the market consensus for the Metals & Mining industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
FAST
5.82
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 4.94
- Q3
- 2.49
- Median
- 1.08
- Q1
- 0.75
- Min
- 0.30
With a P/S Ratio of 5.82, FAST trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
ATI
6.40
Metals & Mining Industry
- Max
- 5.38
- Q3
- 3.01
- Median
- 1.72
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 0.34
At 6.40, ATI’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Metals & Mining industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
FAST
14.46
Trading Companies & Distributors Industry
- Max
- 9.42
- Q3
- 4.66
- Median
- 2.10
- Q1
- 1.34
- Min
- 0.31
At 14.46, FAST’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Trading Companies & Distributors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ATI | FAST |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 30.75 | 37.92 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 2.98 | 5.82 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 6.40 | 14.46 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 22.53 | 48.19 |